From Cigarwise:

CAO, one of the world’s foremost premium cigar manufacturers, was awarded European Cigar Cult Journal’s illustrious “Best Nicaraguan Cigar 2005” Trophy for its CAO Criollo Mancha cigar during an awards presentation held on August 7, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.

Earlier this year, European Cigar Cult Journal honored the CAO Criollo Mancha with a perfect “5-Star” rating, the highest rating given to any cigar in the magazine’s ten-year history. The ECCJ international tasting panel was the primary judge for this year’s awards. “What is new, however, is that the result takes into account not only the tasting panel’s assessment, but also factors in the ratings of thousands of our readers,” commented ECCJ Editor-in-Chief, Reinhold Widmeyer.

Accepting the award was CAO Vice President, Tim Ozgener, who commented, “We are honored to receive this trophy from such a well-respected publication as European Cigar Cult Journal. This award has a distinguished history within the premium cigar world and we’re elated for this recognition.”

CAO recentlyl introduced its latest premium offerings, the CAO Cx2 and CAO The Sopranos^SM Edition, at the RTDA 73rd Annual Convention and International Trade Show in New Orleans. Visit the CAO Website for more information.